Ten Iraqi airmen at the Iraqi air operations center recently completed a seven-day air operations planning course taught by American Airmen air advisers in April here.
This training enables the Iraqi air force to build their operational planning capability, which is a critical component to increasing the effectiveness of the growing Iraqi air force.
The exposure to Western-style planning doctrine will also build the foundation for future partnering between the Iraqi air force, other Iraqi security forces and coalition forces.
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With Department of Veterans Affairs representatives ready to begin accepting sign-ups for the Post-9/11 GI Bill May 1, Defense Department officials are working to get word out on the proposed policy regarding the bill's transferability provisions to help servicemembers decide if the new benefit is right for them.
Bob Clark, the Pentagon's assistant director for accessions policy, called the Post-9/11 GI Bill that takes effect Aug. 1 an important new benefit. In addition to providing broader educational benefits, it includes a provision that enables enrollees to transfer their benefits to immediate family members.
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The first group of Undergraduate Pilot Training students completed the MQ-1 Predator Formal Training Unit's Initial Qualification Training Course here April 24.
Along with the UPT students, the class graduated 20 students, which translates to 10 crews.
A crew comprises a pilot and sensor operator. The training consisted of 84 academic hours, 16 simulator and eight flight hours. The FTU 09-05 class was also the first class that was trained using the new Air Combat Command MQ-1 Initial Qualification Training Course syllabus.
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American servicemembers along with NATO military members joined forces to conduct simulated combat environments during Exercise Red Flag-Alaska that runs April 16 through May 1 here.
One example of that teamwork during the exercise is the life support section where Airmen and Sailors work alongside to help the exercise run smoothly.
Red Flag-Alaska provides joint offensive counter-air, interdiction, close-air support and large force employment training in a simulated combat environment. The life support section handles everything the pilots need in order to survive from the point of ejection to the rescue and return of the pilot to home station.
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This week's Airman's Roll Call highlights the recent change in releasing promotion dates for master and technical sergeant. After 12 years of being announced on the same day, they each now will be released on a separate date.
Air Force officials say the new master sergeant promotion list now will be released on May 14 and the technical sergeant list will be released on June 18. The dates will allow for individual recognition to promotion selectees from each respective rank and give Airmen on both promotion lists their day in the spotlight.
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Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations April 28, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.
In Afghanistan, Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed multiple strafing runs to hit anti-Afghan gunmen attacking a coalition forward base. The enemy attack failed after the aircraft's 30mm cannons inflicted heavy casualties among the advancing shooters.
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As combat requirements evolve, so must the Air Force's unique capabilities to engage the enemy, the service's top officer said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz discussed the role of Airmen in counterinsurgency operations and irregular warfare April 24 at the Brookings Institution here.
During the event, hosted by the 21st Century Defense Initiative, General Schwartz answered audience questions and spoke about the challenges the Air Force will face while combating more sophisticated insurgencies and future irregular threats. He also noted one of the Air Force's most formidable assets: Airmen.
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U.S. officials could be nearing a deal with the Kyrgyzstan government to extend U.S. access to Manas Air Base, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters April 28.
Mr. Morrell reported progress in negotiations he called "reason for hope" about reversing Kyrgyzstan's previous decision regarding the base.
Kyrgyzstan's foreign ministry notified the U.S. Embassy in Bishkek in February that it had six months to leave Manas, a major logistical and refueling center that supports troops in Afghanistan. About 15,000 troops and 500 tons of cargo move through the base every month.
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The Judge Advocate General Lt. Gen. Jack L. Rives has announced the 2008 Judge Advocate General Award winners. The award recipients will be formally recognized at an awards banquet during Keystone 2009, the Air Force JAG Corps' Leadership Summit held the last week of October in Dallas, Texas.
Albert M. Kuhfeld Award, Outstanding Judge Advocate:
Maj. Tiffany A. Dawson, deputy staff judge advocate, 48th Fighter Wing, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England. This award recognizes the active-duty officer in the grade of major or captain selected as the most outstanding judge advocate of the year based on demonstrated excellence, initiative and devotion to duty.
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In his latest 'Enlisted Perspective," the Air Force's top enlisted Airman focuses on diversity and how it strengthens the greatest Air Force in the world.
"This diversity enables successful action across the full spectrum of operations," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney J. McKinley. "The knowledge and experience of our Airmen allows us to translate their diversity into organizational effectiveness, mission readiness and exacting execution."
In recognizing the importance of diversity to the Air Force, Chief McKinley observes that the diversity found throughout the service fuels the power to
fly, fight and
win in air, space and cyberspace.
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